What is a Chlamydia infection of the lungs?
Chlamydia are pathogenic bacteria that can be divided into different subgroups. Three strains are relevant to humans: Chlamydia trachomatis, which can affect the eye and the urogenital tract, and Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia psittaci, which both affect the lungs. The course of infection by Chlamydia can be quite different. Flu-like symptoms and chesty cough can occur. In severe cases, pneumonia can also be caused.
The causes
A Chlamydia infection can be transmitted quite easily through the air. This is especially true for the subgroup Chlamydia pneumoniae. A sick person only needs to sip in public and the bacteria circulate.
It can also be transmitted directly via saliva. The subgroup Chlamydia psittaci can be transmitted by feathers or by the faeces of birds. Especially people or professionals who have a lot to do with birds should be careful. Pneumonia caused by this bacterium is even recognised as an occupational disease (e.g. in bird breeders).
The transmission path
The transmission path is primarily through the air. In the subgroup Chlamydia pneumonia it can also be transmitted by saliva. For this reason, in the case of a known infection, drinking from a common bottle or even kissing should be avoided. The bacterium Chlamydia psittaci can be transmitted to birds through frequent contact. A direct human-to-human transmission, such as by shaking hands, does not take place.
The symptoms of a Chlamydia infection in the lungs
The symptoms of a Chlamydia infection can be quite different. In some patients the disease sets in suddenly and resembles a flu. These include fatigue, fever (up to 39 degrees), chills, headaches and chesty cough.
In most cases, the cough is without sputum, i.e. without the presence of mucus. A sore throat can develop if the respiratory tract is affected. The lymph nodes in the throat area are also thickened.
In severe cases, an atypical pneumonia can also be caused, which manifests itself by shortness of breath. Furthermore, the liver and spleen may be enlarged (so-called hepatosplenomegaly). An infection with the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci is also called ornithosis (parrot disease).
Here, other organs such as the heart can also be affected. Inflammation of the heart muscle manifests itself by palpitations, heart palpitations or even circulatory disorders. If the brain is affected, disturbances of consciousness can also occur.
Fortunately, these complications rarely occur. A Chlamydia infection can also be asymptomatic. In this case the affected persons feel weak and exhausted.
The pneumonia
Chlamydia causes a so-called atypical pneumonia. Atypical because these pathogens are rare and spread further within the connective tissue of the lung. This also explains the atypical symptoms of pneumonia.
The classical or typical pneumonia develops quite suddenly and leads to high fever. The cough is accompanied by a yellowish mucus. In addition, those affected suffer from shortness of breath and try to compensate for this by breathing faster.
However, all these symptoms are less pronounced in atypical pneumonia, or in some cases do not occur at all. This usually leads to the disease being ignored, so that a doctor is consulted too late. The therapy can therefore be more difficult.
Atypical pneumonia usually begins with flu-like symptoms and worsens as the disease progresses. Severe headaches and aching limbs can occur. In addition, breathing difficulties, coughing without sputum and fever up to 39 degrees can occur. .
